Red Dust Daqian

County Magistrate Shangguan Wuhou was grateful to Zhou Sen, but he was not someone who would give in easily. Greed was his nature.

If Shangguan Wuhou had not known Zhou Sen as a powerful celestial master, and if he had not been threatened by the strength of the celestial master Xiangcao, Shangguan Wuhou would have called in the yamen runners and thugs. In Shangguan Wuhou's mind, anyone who dared to touch his interests in Changnan County was courting death, and even daring to file a complaint in Beijing was even more deadly. He wished he could send someone to arrest the Xiao family mother and daughter immediately.

However, the two Heavenly Masters still have to be given face. After all, Zhang Tianshi has profound magical powers, and Xiangcao Tianshi has strong martial arts. If they encounter any monsters, ghosts, or powerful bandits in the later period, they may ask for help from the two Heavenly Masters. If they are offended easily, the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages. After so many years in the officialdom, Shangguan Wuhou knows that it is much more cost-effective to be friends with the two Heavenly Masters than to be enemies.

Shangguan Wuhou also used his acting skills to the utmost, and said indignantly: "Slander, slander, it's ridiculous. These villains use me as a shield to seek personal gain. They dare to throw all kinds of dirty water on me. I will rob this pawnshop."

Zhou Sen knew that Shangguan Wuhou was just talking, so he cooperated with Shangguan Wuhou. He continued, "I believe that Lord Shangguan is a good official who enforces the law impartially, keeps himself clean, and serves the people. However, the mother and daughter of the Xiao family are anxious to redeem the ceramic kiln factory. Lord Shangguan, what do you think about this?" Shangguan Wuhou replied seriously, "Master Mu, don't worry, this county will definitely give justice to the mother and daughter of the Xiao family." Changing the subject, Shangguan Wuhou continued, "However, the county government is a serious law enforcement place, and handling cases requires procedures and evidence. This major case involving a thousand taels of silver cannot be based on the one-sided words of the mother and daughter of the Xiao family and rash conclusions. It requires multiple considerations to be fair and just, restore the truth, and not wrongly accuse a good person." Shangguan Wuhou, showing the image of being fair and selfless, continued, "This county will now arrange for the yamen runners to investigate thoroughly. It is estimated that it will take some time to understand clearly, and wait until the case is clarified. If what the mother and daughter of the Xiao family said is true, this county will definitely give justice to the girl of the Xiao family and allow her to redeem the Xiao family kiln factory."

Zhou Sen cursed in his heart, "Damn, Shangguan Wuhou is so cunning and treacherous, he is really not honest at all. This operation is clearly a delaying tactic! It would be strange if you can find out the whole story by letting you investigate yourself."

Zhou Sen didn't want to get entangled with Shangguan Wuhou for too long. In his long-standing 21st century thinking, he knew that this kind of wrangling with officials would only end up in an unclear and inconclusive way, and he would never get justice. It is time-consuming and laborious, unless you give up your life, which most people can't afford. Zhou Sen could only compromise and plead, "Sir Shangguan, it's like this. People who do business value harmony. The mother and daughter of the Xiao family also explained this to the two of us before I came to the county government. If it is confirmed that Sir Shangguan has nothing to do with this matter, they will ask Sir Shangguan to help them get justice. The mother and daughter of the Xiao family just want to redeem their kiln factory, and they don't have to get into a lawsuit. The mother and daughter of the Xiao family are willing to add a little more price as long as they can redeem the kiln factory, but the price increase cannot be too outrageous."

After hearing this, Shangguan Wuhou, a cunning man, knew that he could still make money and operate it. His emotions eased a lot and he pretended to ask, "So, Taoist priest, do you know who the Xiao family kiln factory was sold to? How much silver was it sold for?"

Xiangcao's eyes almost rolled up to the sky, thinking that Shangguan County Magistrate was so hypocritical, so disgusting, and really good at acting, asking questions even though he knew the answer. So he replied unhappily: "The Xiao family kiln factory was sold by Houde Pawnshop to the Shen family of Changnan County for 3000 taels of silver." Shangguan Wuhou replied: "The Shen family of Changnan. This is easy to handle. The Shen family is familiar to this county. Master Mu, how about this? You and I will be the middlemen and invite the women of the Shen and Xiao families. After informing both parties of the ins and outs of the Xiao family ceramic kiln factory and the specific situation, how about the mother and daughter of the Xiao family directly buying back the kiln factory for 3000 taels of silver? This way will definitely help the Xiao family get the kiln back quickly. Or if the mother and daughter of the Xiao family do not accept this method, the county can still use fair means to send yamen runners to the pawnshop to arrest people and slowly and carefully examine the case."

Not only did Vanilla's eyes roll up to the sky, Zhou Sen also despised the corrupt official Shangguan in his heart: "You are so calculating, Shangguan Wuhou. In the end, you made the most of the 1500 taels of silver and didn't have to pay it back at all."

It is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Zhou Sen knew that this was the best outcome now, and there was no point in continuing to tangle with Shangguan Wuhou. If he persisted in tangle, he might not be able to redeem the last 3000 taels of silver.

He could only tacitly agree. However, 3000 taels of silver was a hassle for Zhou Sen now. He simply couldn't come up with 3000 taels. Zhou Sen secretly winked at Xiangcao and drew a five with his finger. Xiangcao was quite clear about Zhou Sen's situation and understood Zhou Sen's intention with just one look. After receiving the hint, she cooperated with Zhou Sen and said, "Junior Brother Mu, as far as I know, the mother and daughter of the Xiao family only have more than 2000 taels of silver now, and they can't make up 3000 taels of silver at all."

Shangguan Wuhou was secretly delighted when he heard that the Xiao family mother and daughter could not raise the money, and replied happily: "Master Mu, in that case, it is no wonder that our county did not help. The Xiao family mother and daughter could not raise the ransom, and our county was powerless. You can't ask our county to pay, we are penniless, we don't have that much money."

Zhou Sen secretly criticized Shangguan Wuhou for being such a shameless person. He had spent 2500 taels of silver to buy his glazed statue of Laojun a few days ago. Now he still had the nerve to pretend to be poor. Damn!

Zhou Sen forced a smile and said, "Shangguan has helped a lot. How can I let Shangguan continue to spend money? Since the girl from the Xiao family is my senior sister, I should find a way to pay for it." Shangguan Wuhou nodded and said, "Okay, okay, okay." He thought that as long as he didn't have to pay, everything would be fine. Zhou Sen continued, "Brother Shangguan, it's like this. Most of the reward money I got from the dog demon case has been given away. There is not much left. Some of it needs to be left to the Taoist sect to add fuel to the fire. I really can't afford so much at once. Can you give me an advance of the remaining 500 taels of reward money from the dog and wolf demon case for emergency use."

Shangguan Wuhou originally did not want to advance the money. He also hoped to use this money to tie Zhou Sen down for at least half a year. If the dog-wolf monster was not completely eliminated and came out to cause trouble again, with this money, Zhou Sen would not leave Changnan County easily and could come forward to help solve the monster problem at any time.